Packers officially activate offensive lineman David Bakhtiari

The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line could be getting a huge boost. David Bakhtiari is available to play in this week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers announced Wednesday.

Bakhtiari hasn’t played at all this year after tearing his ACL on New Year’s Eve in practice and spent the season on the PUP list.

#Packers activate T @DavidBakhtiari

📰: https://t.co/HFGBuy2d38#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/1xHocg3VUr

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) November 10, 2021

Getting Bakhtiari back would be huge for Green Bay’s offensive line. Last year, before his injury, he was one of the main reasons why the Packers allowed just 21 sacks — a mark that ranked second in the NFL. This year, Green Bay allowed 19 sacks through nine games, which speaks to the impact Bakhtiari has on protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Bakhtiari is a two-time first time All-Pro tackle and three-time second teamer for the Packers. They selected him in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Colorado, where he was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection.

Green Bay is coming off a 13-7 loss to Kansas City last week and is hoping to get back on track this week against Seattle. But it’s still unclear whether or not Rodgers will be at quarterback since he still needs to clear COVID-19 protocols.

But even if Jordan Love is back under center, having Bakhtiari on his O-Line would bolster the Packers’ pass protection.

Aaron Rodgers’ status still up in the air for Packers vs. Seahawks game

Rodgers has been in hot water in the NFL over the last few days. The Packers quarterback, who is unvaccinated, tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week, forcing him to miss the Packers game on Sunday against the Chiefs.

Rodgers said before the season that he was “immunized,” leading many to believe that he was vaccinated against COVID-19. With news coming out that Rodgers is actually unvaccinated, an investigation into him and the Packers for potential COVID-19 protocol breaches has been launched.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport updated the Rodgers situation on Sunday morning. While he was obviously out on Sunday, Rodgers’ status for next week’s game is in question as well.

“Aaron Rodgers is out today for the Green Bay Packers because of COVID-19 protocols, he tested positive,” Rapoport said. “Jordan Love makes his first start. Rodgers is unvaccinated, which means he is out a minimum of ten days. The earliest he can clear the protocols and be eligible to play is next Saturday, the day before the Seahawks game. Which means if he clears, if he plays, he will do it without practicing at all.”